I first learned this tune from a Library of Congress recording of the western Virginia fiddler Henry Reed (1884-1968). Reed learned the tune from his neighbor and mentor, Quince Dillon, who had been a fifer during the Mexican War. It probably commemorates the Mexican general's retreat following the Battle of Buena Vista in February, 1847, where an inferior force of Americans under General Zachary Taylor held off a Mexican force under Santa Anna that was three times its size, at a mountain pass south of Monterey. Taylor's victory (more accurately his non-defeat) helped propel him to the Presidency two years later. This recording is from a jam session with my pal Don Couchie last week at Clifftop. Don is playing the fiddle, I am three finger picking on my short scale, semi-fretless Paramount, tuned aEABE. Don is a first class musician and a great friend. He has an unbelievable ear, he can pick up a tune faster than anyone I know, and play it tastefully and accurately, on both fiddle and banjo.
Just when you thought you couldn't have too many banjos.